The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics

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11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there's limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

What You Can Do

* Complain to your drugstore when you see unhealthy ingredients in their consumer products. They may be unaware.

* Visit www.safecosmetics.org/companies to find companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.

* Take action in support of your right to buy safe personal care products at www.safecosmetics.org/action.

Resources

* Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: www.safecosmetics.org

* Skin Deep: www.cosmeticdatabase.com

* National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database: www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

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